PG Designs

Thumbs up if you remember the Weiner King!

In 1966 #Halloween in #PrinceGeorge was an explosive affair as 1000 teens broke windows, overturned cars, set off dynamite in the city and generally rioted. It would be interesting to see if #socialmedia had existed then. But keep this in mind, when complaining about kids today and how the kids of today have no respect for others property. According to other reports guard rails were destroyed by dynamite going up to Connaught Park, The windows of downtown businesses were smashed and more. #Halloweennight #Alwaysbecreatin

The collapse of the ski jump on Connaught Hill on October 26, 1938, was a huge moment in Prince George’s history! This structure, originally built in 1930 as both a ski jump and a toboggan slide, was a popular attraction that drew skiers from across the province. For several years, it was the site of exciting ski meets, making it a real community landmark. But by the late 1930s, interest in the sport had started to fade, and the structure itself fell into disrepair. The final blow came with a high wind that took down this "white elephant"—a collapse that was heard all over town, with creaking timbers marking the end of an era. Today, this story is a reminder of the strong community spirit that built and supported this structure in the first place. It was funded by popular subscription, showing that when Prince George rallies behind something, it becomes a lasting part of our shared history. At PG Designs, we’re proud to carry on that same spirit of community involvement and support for local businesses. Just like our town’s history, we know that the best results come from working together and embracing change. Whether you're looking to build your brand or connect with the people of Prince George in a meaningful way, we're here to help you make a lasting impact. Reach out to us at [email protected], and let’s create something that stands tall—even in the face of change. #PrinceGeorgeHistory #PGDesigns #CommunitySpirit #smallbusiness #alwaysbecreating #onthisday

Where's a place in Prince George that's rumored to be haunted?

This piece of Prince George history made waves across North America back in 2003. The story of a mummified squirrel monkey, discovered above the ceiling in Kresgees, a downtown store, was shared as far away as Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and even made it onto CBS News. The monkey, part of Kresgees’ pet department decades earlier, had gone missing and became the subject of a 30-year mystery. Its discovery shed light on a quirky yet bittersweet chapter in Prince George’s history and sparked conversations far beyond the city. This little slice of Prince George lore is a reminder of how stories from our community can resonate across the continent and capture widespread curiosity. #PrinceGeorge #PrinceGeorgeBC #ExploreBC #NorthernBC #PGCommunity #YXS #LocalHistory #DowntownPG #PGStories #CanadaStories

Fifty years ago today, a new home for creativity opened its doors in Prince George. 🎨 On October 23, 1976, Studio 2880 at 2880 15th Avenue welcomed the public for the first time. And judging by the newspaper announcement, it was quite a celebration! There were arts and crafts demonstrations, music, and an opportunity for Prince George residents to see what was happening inside a building that would become a familiar part of our community. Among its original tenants were the P.G. Weaver's & Spinner's Guild, Potter's Guild, Photographic Society, Rock & Gem Society, Community Arts Council, Caledonia Printers, Art Society and Le Cercle des Canadiens Français. It wasn't just the artists celebrating, either. Six Prince George businesses purchased congratulatory advertisements in The Citizen, including R.J. Cooper Construction, Century Floors, Spruceland Coffee Services, Prince Sheet Metal & Heating, Northway Electric and Prince George Lock and Key. A little snapshot of a community getting behind its creative people. The Community Arts Council had already been bringing people together since 1968, but Studio 2880 gave those creative pursuits a home of their own. And here we are, half a century later. Buildings have histories, certainly. But the real stories belong to the people who filled them — the potters, painters, photographers, weavers and countless others who came through those doors. Happy 50th anniversary, Studio 2880! ❤️ Were you part of one of the original arts groups, or do you remember visiting Studio 2880 over the years? 📰 From The Citizen, October 20, 1976. Does your business have a story to tell? Let's talk! #PrinceGeorgeBC #Studio2880 #PrinceGeorgeHistory #ArtsAndCulture #alwaysbecreating

In March of 1962, Lance Morgan arrived in Prince George… and walked straight into a flooded basement. Not a metaphor. An actual one. The space at Central Baptist on Fifth Avenue — the place he was supposed to begin — was in rough shape. Water, disrepair, the kind of first impression that makes most people quietly reconsider their plans. But Lance didn’t. He stood there, took it in, and made a decision. If the building could hold 60 people… they’d start with 60. Within a year, he was already thinking bigger — a new church, a new name: First Baptist. So Lance went to Vancouver with a plan — and three very specific asks: Forgive the $10,000 debt. Provide $30,000 to build. And cover his salary for five years. After he made his case, the room went quiet. Then businessman Robert Bentall spoke up. “We will back you.” Before leaving, Lance told them not to send the building money right away. He promised the congregation would match it first. Think about that. By 1963, the church was built. From a flooded basement… to something permanent. From 8 members… to 800 over the decades. But if you ask people what they remember most… it wasn’t just what he built. It was how he treated people. Lance Morgan spent decades in Prince George as a pastor who welcomed everyone — no judgement, no conditions. He visited people in hospitals, stood beside families in their hardest moments, and opened his home to those who needed one. He had a sense of humour, too — the kind that made people feel comfortable right away. He could speak plainly, but always with kindness. He wasn’t just a pastor. He was a neighbour. A steady presence. “A people’s pastor,” as many would later say. Lance Morgan passed away on January 4, 2013, at the age of 79. At his service, the church was filled — a reflection of a life that had quietly touched hundreds, maybe thousands, over the years. And that’s what we do at PG Designs — we find the beginnings, the messy ones, and turn them into something people remember. Let’s tell it. #alwaysbecreating #PrinceGeorge #smallbusiness #PrinceGeorgeBC #ExploreBC #NorthernBC #ShopLocal #PGLocalBusiness #PGCommunity #YXS Se

For more than 30 years, a brother and sister believed the other was dead. Then, on a Friday afternoon in July 1977, a car pulled into the driveway of a Prince George home. Eighty-four-year-old Emy Graf hurried from the house, tears in her eyes. She was about to see someone she hadn't seen since 1914. Her brother, Teofil George Kirsch, 88. George had immigrated to Canada from Germany in 1912, eventually settling in Prince George, where he farmed along Blackwater Road. Emy remained in Germany. They kept in touch through letters until 1946, when a misunderstanding changed everything. Emy believed George had died. George, having misunderstood a letter from Germany, believed his sister had died. For decades, neither knew the other was still alive. Then a wedding photograph and an unexpected family connection helped uncover the truth. At the home of George's daughter, Elsie Normand, the siblings stood looking at one another. Both were crying. They exchanged a few words in German before embracing. Later, they sat together talking about their childhood, their parents and the family they had left behind. When Prince George Citizen reporter Al Irwin asked George what it felt like to see his sister again, his answer was simple. “I can't talk about it. I can't tell you how good it feels. I'm so glad.” After 63 years apart, they had found each other again. And there's one final detail that makes their reunion especially meaningful. George died at his Prince George home on May 31, 1978, less than eleven months later. They had spent decades believing they'd lost each other forever. Thankfully, they had one last chance to be brother and sister again. 📷 Emy Graf and her brother George Kirsch reunited in Prince George, July 1977. Source: Prince George Citizen, July 18, 1977, “After 65 Years, a Tearful Reunion,” by Al Irwin. Additional information: Prince George Citizen, June 8, 1978, page 9. Does your business have a story to tell? Let's talk!

🚗✨ Throwback to October 19th, 1968! ✨🚗 Did you know that 58 years ago today, Dog N Suds opened its doors in #PrinceGeorge? From their famous creamy root beer to mouthwatering coney dogs, it was the ultimate drive-in experience! 🍔🥤 Who else remembers pulling up, turning on the lights, and having the tray delivered right to your car window? 🚗💡 It’s memories like these that make our community so special! 💛 At PG Designs, we love celebrating local history and creating content that connects businesses to the heart of #PrinceGeorge. If you want to tap into the power of nostalgia and boost your local presence, we're here to help! 👉 Contact us at [email protected] to start creating your own unforgettable story! #AlwaysBeCreating #smallbusiness #SocialMedia #Marketing #LocalLove #

🐻 WHERE IN PRINCE GEORGE DID WE PUT OUR MASCOT? Our PG Designs bear has gone back in time again! This time, he's found himself a cozy spot in a restaurant that was once a favourite gathering place for Prince George families. Recognize it? Here are some clues! 🔎 🍽️ The restaurant opened in 1977 at 1165 Fifth Avenue. 👨‍🍳 It was founded by John and Irene (Iryna) Goulas, who helped turn it into one of the city's best-known dining establishments. 🥩 Alberta prime rib was a house specialty, alongside lobster, shrimp, prawns, scallops, salmon and king crab. 🥗 Remember those generous salad bar meals? Or the Greek chicken and Neptune chicken? ☕ One of the more unusual menu offerings was a specialty coffee made with Ouzo and Kahlua. 🎉 Upstairs was a banquet room that could accommodate nearly 200 guests. Think wedding receptions, graduation dinners, anniversaries and company Christmas parties. ❤️ The restaurant employed around 20 full- and part-time staff, and many had been there for more than a decade. And here's one last clue... The dark wood panelling, deep tufted booths and glowing chandeliers made it the kind of place where going out for supper felt like a special occasion. For decades, this was where Prince George celebrated birthdays, anniversaries and some of life's biggest milestones. 🐻 So, where did we put our mascot? Did you ever eat here? And what was your favourite thing on the menu? At PG Designs, we love bringing Prince George's business history back to life. Every local business has a story, and those stories are what make a brand memorable. Have a business story worth telling? Let's talk! 📧 [email protected] #alwaysbecreating #PrinceGeorge #smallbusiness #PrinceGeorgeBC #ExploreBC #NorthernBC #ShopLocal #PGLocalBusiness #PGCommunity #YXS

🔎 A little Prince George history mystery! Sometimes an old photograph leaves us with more questions than answers, and this is one of those times. Look at the crowd gathered around this outdoor rink! It certainly looks like hockey was a big attraction that day. In faint lettering under Glenbow Archives it says Hockey of Fort George. But here's what we'd love to know. Does anyone recognize the location? What can you tell us about the buildings or the hillside in the background? And does anyone know the story behind this gathering? We've learned that some of the best pieces of local history aren't necessarily found in books or archives. They're tucked away in family photo albums, old conversations and memories passed down through generations. Sometimes one little detail leads to a story nobody was even looking for. Let's see what we can piece together! 🕵️ Photo credit: Glenbow Archives, NA-915-40. #PGDesigns #PrinceGeorgeHistory #PrinceGeorgeBC #LocalHistory

🐻💙 Aaron and I have been working on something… and we need your help! As many of you know, Aaron is my four-legged partner at PG Designs. 🐶❤️ He's been part of the business for years, offering moral support, supervising my work and occasionally reminding me that it's time to step away from the computer. Recently, Aaron and I decided that PG Designs needed a new character. Someone who could help us celebrate Prince George, share a little local history, offer some marketing tips and maybe get into a bit of mischief along the way. So, after a little brainstorming, a lot of creativity and some questionable input from Aaron (he was mostly interested in treats), we'd like to introduce our newest creation! Our very own PG Designs bear! 🐻 He's got his PG Designs hat, his favourite hoodie and a whole lot of hometown pride. But there's one thing Aaron and I haven't been able to agree on… HIS NAME! 😂 And that's where you come in! We thought, since this little guy is going to be celebrating Prince George and the people and businesses that make our community special, who better to help name him than you? 🐾 WHAT SHOULD WE CALL HIM? Something Northern? Something uniquely Prince George? Something completely unexpected? 👇 Leave your suggestions in the comments! We'll narrow down the favourites and let you help choose the winning name. And don't worry, Aaron isn't going anywhere. He's still my partner at PG Designs. We've just added someone new to the team. Now, if we could only convince Aaron that the bear isn't entitled to half his treats! 😂 PG Designs | Proudly Prince George 📧 [email protected] #alwaysbecreating #PrinceGeorge #smallbusiness #PrinceGeorgeBC #ExploreBC #NorthernBC #ShopLocal #PGLocalBusiness #PGCommunity #YXS

📚 Before Prince George had a public library, it had borrowed books, volunteer librarians, and a community determined to keep reading. And believe it or not, one of our earliest libraries was located inside a music and piano store! The story begins in 1920, when Prince George was just five years old. City Council wanted a library, but there was no dedicated building and very little money. So Mayor Perry made arrangements with the Vancouver Public Library to borrow books. On May 12, 1920, Prince George's first city library opened at City Hall under librarian Alleyne Wright. The collection included 500 books from Vancouver's Carnegie Library and another 600 volumes loaned by the Dominion government. But there was a catch. You could only borrow or return books on Wednesday afternoons! Borrowers also needed to be property owners or have two ratepayers vouch for them. There was a one-dollar deposit, and overdue books cost ten cents a week. In January 1923, the library moved into W.J. Pitman's music and piano store, where customers could browse books during regular business hours. Pitman encouraged residents to donate books, and by 1927 the collection had grown to 1,000 volumes. Fiction was especially popular. Some books were reportedly read until they were practically falling apart! In August 1931, a provincially funded library opened in Prince George under Jeannette Sargent. For years, the city and provincial libraries operated separately. Meanwhile, our city library moved from place to place, including City Hall, Pitman's store, the Assman Block and the old Firehall. By 1946, Prince George was finally ready for a dedicated library building. Construction began that August, and on September 17, 1947, the new library opened at Third Avenue and Victoria Street, with Jeannette Sargent in charge. But the story wasn't finished. In 1955, Bill Fraser became librarian and began expanding the collection and services, including regular children's story hours. By 1959, the Brunswick Street library was becoming too small. During that year's civic election, mayoral candidate Marvin Dezell promised Prince George a new library. The proposed location was controversial, but the project moved forward. Local architect Trelle Morrow designed a 6,100-square-foot building using laminated timber beams to create a large, open interior. The construction cost was approximately $115,000. And on September 4, 1961, Prince George officially opened its new public library. Six years later, another expansion was approved, and the building continued serving readers until 1981. What I love about this history is how much of it was built through ordinary people doing extraordinary little things. Someone donated a book. Someone volunteered an afternoon. Someone made room in their store. And eventually, an entire community had a place to read, learn and discover. From borrowed books in City Hall to the library we know today, Prince George has always had people who believed that knowledge should have a home. ❤️ Do you remember visiting the old library on Brunswick Street, attending story time, or getting your very first library card? I'd love to hear your memories! 📖 Historical source: Valerie Giles, Ph.D., “The Thirst for Knowledge” and “A City of Readers,” Prince George Citizen, June 27, 1998, two-part history series. At PG Designs, we believe every local institution and business has a story worth telling. Those stories help people remember where we've been, connect with who we are, and build the identity of our community. Have a business with a history worth sharing? Let's tell its story. 📩 [email protected] #alwaysbecreating #PrinceGeorge #smallbusiness #PrinceGeorgeBC #ExploreBC #NorthernBC #ShopLocal #PGLocalBusiness #PGCommunity #YXS